Inking apparatus.



No. 638,748. Patented Dec. l2, I899.

T. M. NORTH.

INKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Feb. 24, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

No. 638,748. Patented Dec. l2, I899. T. M. NORTH.

INKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Feb. 24, 1899.) (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNTT

THOMAS M. NORTH, OF NEW YORK, Y., ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT HOE, THEODORE II.MEAD, AND CHARLES W. CARPENTER, OF SAME PLACE.

lNKlNG APPARATUS.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,748, datedDecember 12, 1899.

Application filed February 24, 1899. Serial No. 706,654. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS M. NORTH, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain and Ireland, residing at New York, county of Kings, and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in InkingApparatus, fully described and represented in the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings, forming a partof the same.

This invention relates to certain improveinenis in inking apparatus.

' paratus.

It is the object of this invention to provide means whereby the machinemay be run for any desired length of time to thus mix and thoroughlydistributethe ink and to do this without permitting the inking devicesto come in contact with the form. The ink from the fountain is thuscarried to and thoroughly distributed and mixed upon thedistributingsurface and form-rollers, so that an even distribution ofthe ink upon the form may be had as soon as the printing is begun.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby theimpression-cylinder may be locked against movement during the time whenthe machine is run for the purpose of distributing the ink, as abovestated.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in certainparts, improvements, and combinations, as will be hereinafter described,and more fully pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

1n the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specificationand in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts,Figure 1 is a side view of a multicolormachine of the rotary type,illustrating the invention, certain parts of the machine being omittedin the interest of clearness. Fig.

of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

2 is a sectional elevation, on a large scale, of theimpression-cylinder,illustrating more particularly the driving means andthe locking devices. Fig. 3is aside view, on a large scale, Fig. 4 is adetail view of a portion of one of the form cylinders, illustrating thelifting-plates and themeansformountingtheform-rollers. Fig. 5 is adetail sectional view taken through one of the form-cylinders. Fig. 6 isa detail plan view illustrating the construction of the lifting-plates.

The machine which has been selected to illustrate the concreteembodiment of the invention is a multicolor-machine of the rotary type.In this machine 1 indicates the frame of the machine. The frame isprovided with suitable recesses in which are located boxes 3 3, whichcarry the shafts 4 i of the form-carrying cylinders 5 5, and boxes 6,which carry the shaft 7 of the impression-cylinder8. The several boxesmay be adjusted in the recesses by means of screws 9 of a well-knowntype, and the boxes may be held in position by bars 10, which maybesecured in any suitable manner to the frame of the machine.

The frame is provided with suitable bearings 11, in which is journaled apower-shaft 12, the power-shaft being provided with any suitable meansof driving it-as, for instance, a power or pulley wheel 13. Thepower-shaft 12 carries a gear 14, which meshes with a gear 15 on a shortshaft 16, which is suitablyjournaled in one side of the frame, thisshort shaft and gear being on the side opposite to the observer inFig. 1. This short shaft 16 carries a gear 17, through which power iscommunicated to the impression-cylinder in a manner to be describedhereinafter.

On the impression-cylindershaft 7 is loosely mounted a gear 18, which isin mesh with the gear 17. This gear is in mesh with and drives gears 19,which are fast on the shafts 4 of the form-carrying cylinders and bywhich, th erefore, these form-carrying cylinders are driven.

The impression-cylinder 8 is provided with a locking device by which itmay be secured to and driven from the gear 18 or may be disconnectedtherefrom when it is desired to run the machine for the purpose ofinking up, as heretofore described.

The locking device which connects the cylinder 8 to the gear 18 may bevariously constructed. Preferably, however, the cylinder is providedwith a shaft 20, which is or may be suitably journaled in the spokes ofthe cylinder or mounted thereon in any convenient way. This shaft 20carries at one end a locking-arm 21, which is fixed on the shaft andwhich engages a cooperating locking member carried or formed on thegear. This cooperating member might be made in various ways; but it ispreferably a notch 22, formed in the rim of the gear 18. The shaft 20preferably carries at its opposite end a locking-arm 23, which is alsofast on the shaft and which engages a cooperating locking member, whichmay also be variously form ed, but is preferably a notched block 24,which is carried on any suitable part of the frame. It is herein shownas mounted on the part 1 of the frame, which carries the feed anddelivery devices. The arms 21 and 23 are so arranged that when the arm22 engages the notched block 24 on the frame the arm 21 will bedisengaged from the notch 22 in the gear and when the arm 21 is engagingthe notch 22 the arm 23 will be disengaged from the notched block 24. Itfollows, therefore, that when the arm 21 is engaging the notch 22 theimpression-cylinder will be locked fast to the gear 18 and will rotatetherewith. When, however, the arm 21 is disengaged from the notch 22 andthe arm 23 is engaging the block 24, the impression-cylinder will bedisengaged from the gear and locked fast to the frame, in which positionof the parts the gear 13 is free to revolve without revolving theimpression-cylinder.

The shaft 20 may be rocked in various ways in order to produce themovements of the locking-arms before described. Preferably, however, theshaft will be provided with a segmental arm 25, which is fast on theshaft 20. This segmental arm engages a worm 26 on a short shaft 27,which is or may be mounted in a bearing 27', suitably secured to theimpression-cylinder. This shaft carries a worm 28, which is engaged by aworm 29 on another shaft 30, suitably'mounted in the cylinder. When theshaft 30 therefore is rocked in either direction, the shaft 20 will becorrespondingly rocked to produce the desired movement of thelocking-arms.

The shaft 30 may be rocked in any suitable manner. In the drawings it isshown as provided with. a squared head 31, on which a wrench may beplaced. The impression-cylinder Sis provided with an impression-surfaceand with a low portion 33, said portion being slightly nearer the axisof movement of the impression-cylinder, so as to pass the form andink-distributing surfaces of the formcylinders without touching them,this being a well-understood feature of construction of this type ofmachines.

The locking-block 24 is so arranged on the frame that when theimpression-cylinder is passed the rolls.

locked to it its impression-surface 32 will be turned away from theprinting and ink-distributing surfaces of the form-carrying cylinders 5.The gear 18 therefore when it is disconnected from theimpression-cylinder can rotate the form-carrying cylinders 5 withoutdanger of any portion thereof touching the impression-cylinder, theportion 33 of said cylinder being arranged, as before described, nearerthe center of rotation of said cylinder, and consequently in suchposition that it will not touch either of the form-carrying cylinders.

The form-carrying cylinders 5 are provided with form-carrying surfaces34 and ink-distributing surfaces 35. The ink is carried from a fountainF through the usual ductor and distributing rolls to a series ofform-inking rollers I. These rollers are j on rnaled in slotted openbearings in stationary plates 36, which may be suitably secured to theframe on each side of each form-carrying cylinder.

Various means may be provided to prevent the form-rollers from coming incontact with the printing-surfaces when the machine is being run forthepurpose of inking up and at i shown is deemed the preferable one,however, 7

and the number of plates will usually depend upon the length ofform-surface on the formcarrying cylinder. erably provided withguiding-blocks 38,which engage guides 39, formed on the cylinder, andare secured to the cylinder by means of bolts 40, said bolts working inslots 41, formed in the said plates. The lifting-plates are curved tocorrespond to the curvature of the cylinder, and in order to allow themto have the radial movement necessary .to effect their function and atthe same time provide a continuous track they are cut away, as shown at42, the cut-away portions of the plates overlapping each other.

While the lifting-plates may directly engage the shafts of theform-rollers, each of the said rollers is preferably provided with apair of trucks 43, which are located so as to be engaged by thelifting-plates 37 when they are in their outward position.

The combined length of the plates 37 is equal to the length of theform-surfaces. When, therefore, the lifting-plates are in their outerpos tion, as the form-surface comes in the revolution of the formcarrying cylinder around to the form-inking rolls the trucks 43 of therolls will be engaged by the plates and the rolls will be lifted andheld out of contact with the form. until the form has After the form haspassed These plates 37 are prefthe rolls they will drop into theirproper position in the slotted bearings of the plate 36 and will contactwith the distributing-surface 35.

Various means may be provided for actuating the lifting-plates. In themachine shown each of said plates is provided with a looped extension44. Each looped extension 44 is engaged by a cam 45, there being a pairof these cams for each oppositely-located pair of plates. The cams 45are carried on a shaft 46, which is mounted in suitable hearings in theform-carryin g cylinders, and the shafts 46 of each form-carryingcylinder are preferably connected by means of a connecting-rod 47, whichengages arms 48, carried on the shafts. W'hen,therefore,one of theshafts 46is rocked, its companion shaft will also be rocked and bothsets of lifting-plates actuated.

Any suitable means may be provided for rocking one of the pair ofshafts. In the machine shown one of the shafts is provided with asquared head 49, upon which a wrench may be placed to rock the shaft.

The printed sheets may be fed to and delivered from the machine in anysuitable manner. In the machine shown there is provided a feed-board 50,mounted on the extension 1 of the frame, from which the sheets are fed,and the sheets are delivered by delivery-cylinder 51, also mounted inthe said extension, the cylinder being provided with a gear 52, whichmeshes with the gear 18, before described.

The operation of the machine will be understood from the foregoing andthe following brief description.

YVhen it is desired to operate the machine for the purpose of inking up,theimpressioncylinder is brought to the proper position, with itsimpression-surface away from the form. A wrench is then placed on thesquared head 31, and the shaft 20 is rocked, so as to disconnect the arm21 from the gear 18 and cause the arm 23 to engage the notched block 24.By means of a wrench one of each pair of shafts 46 of the twoimpression-cylinders5 is then rocked to raise the lifting-plates intoposition, so as to be struck by the trucks 43 on the form-inkingrollers. The machine is now started,and the gear 18 will be revolvedfrom the train of gearing between it and the powershaft and will in turnoperate the gears 17 and 19 and rotate the form-carrying cylinders. Asthe form-carrying cylinders rotate the form-rollers will be lifted awayfrom the forms, but will run in contact with the distribnting-surfaces,and thus cause the ink to become thoroughly mixed and distributed on therollers and the distributing-surfaces. hen the machine has been operatedfor a sufficient length of time to get the ink into proper condition,the machine will be stopped and the shaft 20 will be rocked, so as torelease the arm 23 from the notched block and cause the arm 21 to engagethe notch 22 in the gear. This movement locks the gear and theimpression-cylinder together. The shafts 46 will now be operated todepress the lifting-plates, and the machine is ready for printing.

The improvements described are particularly adapted for use inmulticolor-machines of the type illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand described in the foregoing specification, as no movement of theimpressioncylinder is required. The invention, however, is not tobeconfined to use in connection with this particular type of machine, asit is of general utility and may be used with many other forms ofprinting-machines.

The invention is not, furthermore, to be limited to the particularmechanism employed v which has been described for carrying it intoeffect. Many changes may be made in this mechanism, and such changeswill readily suggest themselves to skilled mechanics. The invention isnot therefore to be confined to the specific mechanical details whichhave been shown and described; but it is to be regarded as covering allforms of mechanism which fall within the spirit and scope of the claimshereunto appended.

What is claimed is 1. In a printing-machine, the combination with aprinting-couple having a continuouslyrotating member, a gear whereby theother member of the couple may be continuously rotated, and meansintermediate the gear and said member for locking the member to andreleasing it from the gear, substantially as described.

2. In a printing-machine, the combination with a continuously-driventrain of gearing, of a printing-couple, one member of which iscontinuously driven from the train, and means intermediate one of thegears of the train and the other member of the couple for locking themember to and releasing it from the gear, substantially as described.

3. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,of a gear whereby it may be continuously rotated, means intermediate thecylinder and the gear for looking the cylinder to and releasing it fromthe gear, and a continuously-rotating form-cylin der, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a printing-machine, the combination with a continuously-driventrain of gearing, of a continuously-rotating form cylinder driven fromthe train, an impressioncylinder, and means intermediate theimpression-cylinder and one of the gears of the train where by thecylinder may be locked to and released from said gear, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination with animpression-cylinder, of a plurality of form cylinders cooperatingtherewith, means for continuously driving all the cylinders in unison,and means for conmeeting the impression-cylinder to and disconnecting itfrom the driving means without disconnecting the driving connections ofthe form-cylinders,substantially as described.

6. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination with animpression-cylinder, of two form-cylinders, means for driving the threecylinders in unison, means for connecting the impression-cylinder to anddisconnecting it from the driving means, and a looking device forholding the impression-cylinder against action when it is disconnectedfrom the driving means, substantially as described.

7. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,ofa gear whereby it may be continuously rotated, means between thecylinder and the gear for locking the cylinder to and releasing it fromthe gear, a continuously-rotating form-carrying cylinder, anink-distributin g surface, form-rollers, and means whereby theform-rollers may be kept out of contact with the form but allowed to runin'contact with the distributing-surface, substantially as described.

8. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,ofa gear whereby it may be continuously rotated, means between thecylinder and the gear for locking the cylinder to and releasing it fromthe gear, a continuously-rotating form-carrying cylinder, saidform-carrying cylinder having an ink-distributing surface, form-rollers,and means whereby the form-rollers may be kept out of contact with theform but allowed to run in contact with the distributing-surface,

substantially as described.

9. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,ofa gear whereby it may be continuously rotated, means between thecylinder and the gear for locking the cylinder to and releasing it fromthe gear, means for locking the cylinder against movement whendisconnected from the driving means, a form-cylinder, anink-distributing surface, form rollers, and means whereby theform-rollers are kept out of contact with the form but allowed to comein contact with the distributing-surface, substantially as described.

10. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,of a gear whereby it may be continuously rotated,means between the cylinder and the gear for locking the cylinder to andreleasing it from the gear, means for locking the cylinder againstmovement when disconnected from the driving means, a form-cylinderhaving an ink-distributing surface, form-rollers, and means whereby theform-rollers are kept out of contact with the form but allowed to comein contact with the distributing-surface, substantially as described.

11. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination with animpression-cylinderhaving an impression-surface and a low side, of aplurality of form-cylinders cooperating with the impression-cylinder,means for driving the cylinders simultaneously, means for connectingtheimpression-cylinder to and disconnecting it from the driving means,inkdistributing surfaces on the form-cylinders,

form-rollers, and means operating to hold the form-rollers out ofcontact with the form-sur- .faces but permit-ting them to run on thedistributing-surfaces, substantially as described.

12. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinderhaving an impression-surface and a low side, of means whereby it may becontinuously driven, a plurality of form-cylinders, means forcontinuously driving the form-cylinders, means for connecting theimpression-cylinder to and disconnecting it from its driving means, alocking device, said locking device being located so as to be inposition to hold the impression-cylinder against movement with its lowside opposite the form-cylinders, ink-(listributin g surfaces on theform-cylinders, and means operating to hold the form-rollers out ofcontact with the form-surfaces but permitting them to run in contactwith the distributing-surfaces,substantially as described.

13. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impressioncylinder,of a gear whereby it may be continuously driven, a locking deviceintermediate the cylinder and the gear for locking the cylinder to andreleasing it from the gear, a locking device for holding the cylinderagainst movement when it is disconnected from the gear, and means forsimultaneously operating the locking devices, substantially asdescribed.

14. In aprinting-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,of a plurality of form-cylinders, means for driving all the cylinders inunison, means for connecting the impression-cylinder to anddisconnecting it from the driving means, a locking device for holdin gthe impression-cylinder against movement when so disconnected, means forsimultaneously operating the connecting means and the locking device,ink-distributing surfaces on the form-cylinder, form-rollers, and meansoperating to hold the form-rollers out IIO of contact with the form butpermitting them to run in contact with the distributing-surfaces,substantially as described.

15. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,of a plurality of form-cylinders, means for driving the cylinders inunison, means carried by the impression-cylinder for connecting it toand disconnecting it from the driving means, ink-distributing surfaceson the form cylinders, form-rollers, and means operating to hold theform-rollers out of contact with the form but permitting them to run incontact with the distributing-surfaces, substantially as described.

16. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,of a plurality of form-cylinders, means for driving the cylinders inunison, means carried by the impression-cylinder for connecting it toand disconnecting it from the driving means, a locking member carried bythe cylinder, a cooperatin g lockin g member, ink-distributing surfaceson the form-cylinders, form-rollers, and means operating to hold theform-rollers out of contact with the form but permitting them to run incontact with the distributing-surfaces, substantially as described.

17. In aprinting-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinder,of a form-cylinder, means for continuously driving the cylinders inunison, means carried by the impression-cylinder for connecting it toand disconnecting it from the driving means, a looking member carried bythe cylinder, a cooperating locking member, means for simultaneouslyoperating the connecting means and the locking member, anink-distributing surface on the form-cylinder, form-rollers, and meansoperating to hold the form-rollers out of contact With the form butpermitting them to run in contact With the distributingsurface,substantially as described.

18. In a printing-machine, the combination with a shaft, of a gearloosely mounted thereon and continuously rotating in the same direction,a cylinder fast on the shaft, and means carried by the cylinder andcooperating with means on the gear for connecting the cylinder to anddisconnectingit from the gear, substantially as described.

19. In a prin ting-machine, the combination with a shaft, of a gearloosely mounted on the shaft and continuously rotating in the samedirection, a cylinder fast on the shaft, means for connecting thecylinder to and disconnecting it from the gear, and a locking device forholding the cylinder stationary When it is disconnected from the gear,substantially as described.

20. In a printing-machine, the combination with a cylinder, ofa gearcontinuously rotating in the same direction, means for connecting thecylinder to and disconnectingit from the gear, a locking device forholding the cylinder stationary when it is disconnected from the gear,and means for simultaneously operating the connecting means and thelooking device, substantially as described.

21. I11 aprintingmachine, the combination with a continuously-rotatinggear, of a plurality of cylinders driven from the gear, and meanscarried by one of the cylinders and cooperating with means on the gearfor connectin g and disconnecting that cylinder from the gear Withoutdisturbing the driving connections of the other cylinders, substantiallyas described.

22. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a continuously-rotatinggear, of a plurality of cylinders driven from the gear, means forconnecting and disconnecting one of the cylinders from the gear, and alocking device for holding it stationary when it is disconnected fromthe gear, substantially as described.

23. In a printing-machine, the combination with a continuously-rotatinggear, of a plurality of cylinders driven from the gear, means forconnecting and disconnecting one of the cylindersfrom the gear, alocking device for holding it stationary when it is disconnected fromthe gear, and means forsimultaneously operating the connecting means andthe looking device, substantially as described.

24. In a printing-machine, the combination With a continuously-runninggear, of an impression-cylinder, means for connecting the cylinder toand disconnecting it from the gear, a plurality of form-cylinders drivenfrom the gear, ink-distributing surfaces carried by the form-cylinders,form-rol1ers, and means operatin g to hold the form-rollers out ofcontact with the form but permitting them to run in contact with thedistributing-surfaces, substantially as described. a

25. In a printing-machine, the combination With a continuously-runninggear, of an impression-cylinder, means for connecting it to anddisconnecting it from the gear, a locking device for holding thecylinder stationary when it is disconnected from the gear, a pluralityof form-cylinders driven from the gear, ink-distributing surfaces on theform-cylinder, form-rollers, and means operating to hold theform-rollers out of contact With the form but permitting them to run incontact with the distributing-surfaces, substantially as described.

26'. In aprinting-machine, the combination with acontinuously-runninggear, of an impression-cylinder, means for connecting it to anddisconnecting it from the gear, a locking device for holding thecylinder stationary when it is disconnected from the gear, means forsimultaneously operating the connecting means and the locking device, aplurality of form-cylinders driven from the gear, ink-distributingsurfaces on the form-cylinders, form-rollers, and means operating tohold the form-rollers out of contact with the form but permitting themto run in contact with the distributing surfaces, substantially asdescribed.

27. The combination with a continuouslyrunning gear having a lockingmember, of a cylinder, a rock-shaft carried by the cylinder having alocking-arm cooperating with the member on the gear, and means forrocking the shaft to connect the cylinder to and disconnect it from thegear, substantially as described.

28. The combination with a continuouslyrunning gear having a lockingmember, of a cylinder, a rock-shaft carried by the cylinder having alocking-arm cooperating with the locking member on the gear, means forrocking the shaft to connect the cylinder to and disconnect it from thegear, and a locking device for holding the cylinder stationary,substantially as described.

29. In aprinting-machine, the combination with a continuously-runninggear having a locking member, of an impressioncylinder, a rockshaftcarried in the cylinder and having a locking-arm which cooperates withthe locking member on the gear, a second locking-arm, a stationarymember with which said second locking-arm cooperates, and means forrocking the shaft to simultaneously operate the arms, one being throwninto and the other out of locking position, substantially as described.

30. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-cylinder havingan ink-distributing surface, of a set of form-rollers mounted instationary bearings, and means carried by the cylinder and movablethereon for lifting the form-rollers in their bearings to hold them outof contact with the form -surface but permitting them to run in contactwith the ink-distributing surface, substantially as described.

31. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-cylinder havingan ink-distributing surface, of a set of form-rollers, stationarybearings in which the form-rollers are mounted, and a set ofradially-moving lifting-plates carried by the cylinder and operating tolift the form rollers away from the form but permitting them to run incontact with the ink-distributing surface, substantially as described.

32. Ina printing-machine, the combination with a form-cylinder having anink-distributing surface, of a set of form-rollers, stationary hearingsin which the form-rollers are mounted, a set of radially-movinglifting-plates carried by the cylinder and operating to lift theform-rollers away from'the form and permit them to come in contact withthe ink-distributing surface, and means for simultaneously operating theplates, substantially as described.

33. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-cylinder havingan ink-distributing surface, of a set of form-rollers mounted instationary bearings, trucks on the rollers, and a set of radially-movingoverlapping lifting-plateslocated along the form-surface,substantiallyas described.

34. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-cylinder havingan ink-distributing surface, of a set of form-rollers mounted instationary bearings, trucks on the rollers, a set of radially-movingoverlapping liftingplates located along the form-surface, and cams foroperating the lifting-plates, substantially as described.

35. In a printing-machine, the combination with a form-cylinder havingan ink-distributing surface, of a set of form-rollers mounted instationary bearings, trucks on the rollers, a set of radially-movingoverlapping liftingplates located along the form-surface, and a set ofconnected cams for operating the lifting-plates whereby the plates areoperated simultaneously, substantially as described.

36. The combination with a form-cylinder, of a set of form-rollers,stationary hearings in which the rollers are mounted, a pair ofradially-moving lifting-plates on each side of the cylinder, atrock-shaft mounted in the cylinder, an d cams on the rock-shaft actingto move the plates both in and out, substantially as described.

37. In a printing-machine, the combination with an impression-cylinderand a shaft with which it is rigidly connected, of acontinuously-running gear loosely mounted on the shaft, means forconnecting the cylinder to and disconnecting it from the gear, aplurality of form-cylinders having operating-gears meshing with thecontinuously-running gear, a set of form-rollers, stationary hearings inwhich they are mounted, ink-distributing surfaces on the form-cylinderswith which the form-rollers contact, and means for lifting theform-rollers in their hearings to cause them to clear the form as thecylinders rotate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

THOMAS M. NORTH.

IVitnesses:

F. \V. H. CRANE, L. ROEHM.

